Car-coupling



(No Model.)

H. SOMMERFELD.

GAR COUPLING.

Patented Nov. 19, 1889.

55- LL WITNESSES INVENTOR HQ 3 -z f aww O I N. PETERS,Pholo-Lvlholmpharr Walhm lm D Q UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HEINRICH SOMMERFELD, OF CANTON, KANSAS.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 415,225, dated November19, 1889.

Application filed May 6, 1889.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HEINRICH SOMMERFELD, of Canton, McPherson county,Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCar-Couplings, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart hereof.

This invention relates to certain improvements in car-couplings whichautomatically couple and are readily uncoupled; and it consists of thenovel combination of parts and their construction, as will fully appearfrom the following description and accompanying illustration, in which-Figure l is a perspective view of my improved car-coupling, the samealso showing the car in broken away dotted outline. Fig. 2 is an endelevation of the same, the car being in full lines; and Fig. 3 is aninverted plan view thereof, a portion of the car being broken away.

In the embodiment of my invention I cinploy a draw-head A, which isprovided in its face or forward end with a series of grooves and ribs 2,which grooves receive an ordinary link, when such happens to be in useon the opposite car, the link being held therein by an ordinary pin (notshown) inserted through the vertical aperture or passage t in thedraw-head.

The draw-head A is of the hook-shaped type or class, and is supportedbodily and so as to have lateral movement in a keeper-like casting orbracket f, bolted, as at f, to the under side of the car at itsforward'edge.

Thedraw-head A is articulated or pivoted at its rear end to a bar A,which has a rearward cylindric extension passing through and supportedin a sleeve 1i and a keeperlike bracket 0, which sleeve and bracket arebolted, as at K and 0, respectively, to the under side of the bottom ofthe car. The portion of the said extension within the bracket 0 isencircled by a spring '72 to permit the draw-head to have the requiredlimited longitudinal movement to counteract concussions when the carsmeet in effecting the coupling operation. The spring is held on saidextension between the inner end of the bracket 0 and a nut m, applied.to the outer or rear end of the extension, the latter also Serial No.303,799. (No model.)

having applied to it upon the front side of the bracket 0 a nut I, whichlimits the rearward or inward movement of the draw-head. It is obviousthat the articulation or pivoting of the draw-head to the extension Apermits of its lateral movement, as required in effecting the couplingand uncoupling of the cars.

E is a stout, broad, flat spring suitably held at its inner or rear endin a proximately-U- shaped bracket Q, flanges or arms upon the upperends of the vertical portions of which fit flush against the under sideof a plate 19, which is bolted to the car-bottom upon its lower side,the bolts also passing through said arms of the bracket Q. The inner endof the spring E bears against the draw-head near its forward or outerend and holds the latter normally in its coupling position.

B is a lever pivoted upon the bracket (1, secured to the end of the car.The lower end of the lever B is connected to the draw-head A by a chain1), connecting with said end of the lever and an eye a upon the back ofthe draw-head.

The lever B passes up through and is guided in its movement by a guideor bracket h, having a slot 7t, and which is bolted or fastened to theend of the car near the top. The upper end of the lever B is withinconvenient reach of a person standing upon the top of the car for itsmanipulation and the uncoupling of the cars from that point.

C and D are supplemental levers for actuating the lever B and uncouplingthe cars at different heights. The lever O is pivoted or connected tothe lever B near its upper end and reaches downward and outwarddiagonally along the end of the car through a keeper or guide g, havinga slot g for the passage of the lever. The lever O has a series ofnotches or teeth I, which engage one edge of said keeper or guide toretain the draw-head in an uncoupled position, when required.

The lever Chas a hand-hold for its convenient manipulation. By means ofthis le ver the coupling and uncoupling operation can be effected from apoint at one side of the drau head and when standing on the end sill orplatform of the car, avoiding going to the top of the car for thatpurpose, as would otherwise be necessary.

The lever D is fulcrum ed upon the bracket 0, preferably right-angular,and secured to the end and side of the car. The upper end t" of thelever D has a notch 41, which receives the lever B, and which preventsthe accidental disengagement or slipping therefrom of the lever D. Thelower end of the lever D is within convenient reach to be grasped oroperated from the ground at one side of the car, and thus permit of theuncoupling of the cars from that point, an outward pull upon the lever Dactuating the lever 13 so as to uncouple the draw-heads.

I prefer to use in this coupling a single buffer G, arranged directlyabove the drawhead, said buffer having connection with the end of thecar through a plate s,-bolted thereto.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of the articulated or pivoted draw'head, the spring,the main lever, and the supplemental side levers operated from differentheights, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with the main drawhead-operating lever, of thesupplemental lever Within convenient reach for manipulation from theground and having its upper end provided with a notch receiving the mainlever, substantially as specified.

3; The combination of the main draw-headoperating lever, of the slottedkeeper or guide, the notched supplemental lever having a hand-hold, theguide through Which said supplemental lever passes and with which itengages, and the additional lever having a notch in its upper endengaging said main lever, said supplementallever being operated fromdiiferent heights, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

HEINRICH SOMMERFELD.

Witnesses:

F. G. FISCHER, A. A. HIGDON. I

